If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.

Edward O. Wilson
About This Quote

The world doesn't work in a straight-forward way. The idea of the world regenerating to its previous state assumes that there was never any progress. If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. However, this is not possible.

If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos. The idea that everything will be restored to its former state is unrealistic because life has changed so much in the past ten thousand years. As for when all mankind will disappear...

well, when does it ever?

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